Guide to Help You Become a Dog Trainer
April 29, 2011
Second Hand Smoke Harmful to Dogs
April 22, 2011
“Environmental tobacco smoke has been shown to contain numerous cancer-causing compounds, making it hazardous for animals as well as humans. Studies have shown increases in certain types of respiratory cancers in dogs that live in homes with smokers."
Read in full: http://www.dogtips.co/second-hand-smoke-dogs/
Dog Shoots Man in the Rear
April 21, 2011
A man in New Zealand was shot in the bottom and needed emergency surgery when he was accidentally shot by his dog.
The Sun reports that the incident happened when the man was getting into the back seat of his four-wheel drive with the rifle beside him when the dog jumped in after him.
Police thought that the dog must have triggered off the .22 bolt-action rifle that went straight into the man’s left buttock in a freak accident.
Let’s hope he makes a speedy recovery!
Article source: http://www.dognews.co/dog-shoots-man-in-the-rear/
Goldman Sachs Raises PetSmart Forecast
April 21, 2011
Cavalier Puppy with Hydrocephalus
April 21, 2011
Roi has Hydrocephalus and a quadrigeminal cyst. He had an MRI san and assessment, on 17th February 2011, costing £1,300. Confirming that he needs life saving surgery, to remove the cyst, and fit him with a shunt to drain the fluid.
This will cost a further £5,000 – £5,000
He is in the care of Lizzie's Barn Sanctuary in West Wales. Fionna who runs the Sanctuary has determined to help this little mite.
If you believe you may be able to offer help or support, please visit: www.lizziesbarn.co.uk
Tips on Bringing Home a New Pet
April 20, 2011
Caring for an animal can encompass many costs. Who will care for them when you are away? Are you prepared to exercise a lively dog daily? Are you able to meet unexpected vets’ bills? Vet bills can be high and a good way to prepare for these could be through pet insurance cover.
There are a range of pet insurance plans available, to suit both pedigrees and cross-breeds as well as a range of budgets.
Is Over Vaccination Killing Dogs?
April 19, 2011
Former Colorado financial planner James Schwartz has produced what he refers to as a documented expose on the ‘questionable practices’, often at the expense of companion animals and their guardians. In his new book, “Trust Me, I’m Not a Veterinarian,” Schwartz explores the legalities, pitfalls and sad results of over-vaccination in pets, among other topics.
Schwartz’s journey began with the sudden decline and death of his beloved standard poodle, “Moolah,” after a round of routine vaccinations. Moolah was named for the famed female wrestling champion, “The Fabulous Moolah,” a.k.a. Lillian Ellison.
Schwartz took Moolah for her annual rabies vaccine in 1999. The dog had also received what is known as the “Wombo Combo” in previous years, which included a triple vaccination for parvo, distemper and rabies.
Schwartz said he requested a delay of 2 more years per the new law, a safer alternative to a yearly rabies vaccination, but was quoted inaccurate county statues.
A few days after Moolah’s shot, Schwartz noticed she “wasn’t herself.” “Every guardian knows his or her dog, and when the dog isn’t right,” Schwartz said. Moolah “stayed in the cool hallway, panting and panting,” Schwartz said.
After taking Moolah back to the vet, Schwartz learned she had developed an auto-immune disease. Moolah had challenges which should have precluded her from vaccination — elderly dogs may be especially vulnerable to lethal side effects of vaccines, Schwartz said. Moolah died of the disease in December 1999.
Since then, Schwartz has led an anti-vaccination campaign in the Colorado state legislature and has been subject to threats and harassment from the veterinary industry. In his book he demonstrates how vaccinations and their revenue offshoots serve as huge income sources for vet practices.
Schwartz calculates that 300 animal hospitals would administer an average of 2.25 million shots per year with a profit of $156 million over three years. He also notes that 63 percent of canine and 70 percent of feline vet office visits are for vaccination shots.
Schwartz learned that a British study demonstrated that up to 12 percent of vaccinated animals showed adverse reactions within 45 days of vaccination. Schwartz views current American vaccination practices as a betrayal of trust by the vet industry, quoting the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Journal as stating: “The one-year vaccination frequency recommendations for rabies found on many vaccine labels is based only on historical precedent, NOT on scientific data.”
He also quotes the Colorado State University’s Animal Vaccination Protocol, which states, “Of particular note has been the association of auto-immune hemolytic anemia with vaccination of dogs and vaccine-associated cancers in cats.”
Deconstructing the science and economics of pet vaccination, the author finds little value in current rabies protocols, demonstrating far more harm than benefit to pets.
While Schwartz has worked closely with veterinarians on the projects, none would go on the record with their views on the business motives of over-vaccination by vets. “The reason I had to write this book is the veterinarian choosing collegiality over fixing their vaccination protocols. The legislation drafts are already written — making companion animals living property rather than a couch, which they are by law, and also would be a deterrent to over-vaccination through loss of companionship damages. It all boils down to this — over-vaccination has caused physical and fiscal harm knowingly, due to their business model and the failure of veterinary ethics,” Schwartz said.
For information, contact James Schwartz at (USA) (303) 850-9166. “Trust Me, I’m Not a Veterinarian” is available at Amazon.
Article source: http://www.dognews.co/is-over-vaccination-killing-dogs/
50 Ways to Increase The Lifespan Of Your Dog
April 19, 2011
Garlic occasionally given in your dog’s diet can improve heart condition and has some other healthy side-effects. Don’t be fooled into thinking this herb is a cure-all though. Garlic does have some very beneficial effects on health but, contrary to some opinion, it will not remove worms if your dog is infected. Instead, go to your vet and he or she will more than likely supply you with a pharmaceutical solution, which will clear your dog of worms.
Would You Call In Sick To Look After Your Pet?
April 15, 2011
It's often said that pet owners see their pets as members of the family, treasured as much as any children and thought of as much as any family member. The pets of yesteryear provided certain functions as companions, such as sourcing food, whereas today, we ask nothing more than they be there as a companion in the home to comfort us, keep us secure, watch TV with us, make us laugh and simply be a part of the family. But how do we react when we think they may be falling ill?
Job security may be an issue we're all too aware of these days but a recent survey carried out by Direct Line Pet Insurance and K9 Magazine uncovered that over 81% of Britain's dog owners would risk their jobs by calling in sick if they were worried their pet was falling ill but only 6% would tell their boss the real reason for their absence. A massive 94% of those surveyed felt more comfortable saying they were unwell themselves.
The same pet lovers compared this to themselves where only 69% said they would call in sick if they themselves were feeling under the weather.
Adam Whiteley, Head of Direct Line Pet Insurance, said: “Most people consider their pet to be part of the family, so it’s no surprise that they would take a day off work to care for Fido or Fluffy, just as they would for a child. It’s a well-known fact that pets improve the quality of life for their owners, and employees who know their pet is happy and healthy won’t spend time worrying while they are at work.”
So what could be done to help prevent as many sick days being taken? Could Britain's employers take steps to becoming more pet friendly?
Ryan O'Meara, publisher of K9 Magazine believes more can be done to follow in the footsteps of employers such as Google, known for their pet friendly policy.
He says, “The benefits of a pet friendly office are known to those who have had the benefit to take advantage of them. Well behaved dogs are always welcome at our office, we even have a 'dog rota' so it can be planned in advance. A pet friendly policy can be great at bringing a new vibe to the office and can act as a great stress reliever. A short sharp burst of fresh air from a quick walk can also be great for freshening the mind.”
(Chloe and Jackson, pictured above, K9 Magazine's original office dogs)
Top Tips for a Pet Friendly Office
1) Always have treats handy. Some people may not be used to being around dogs all the time, this obviously needs careful handling and introduction to make sure everyone is as comfortable as possible.
2) Take your pet for a short walk every few hours to give them some fresh air and a burst of exercise.
3) Before introducing a full pet friendly policy, have a trial. Create a rota and have a plan in place for the trial so it can be assessed how it can work for you long-term.
>> Highly Recommended: You can now get 12 months for the price of 9 from Direct Line Pet Insurance: Find Out More
Milk Thistle & Dogs
April 14, 2011
Symptoms of liver problems with dogs including liver disease can include a loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice, dark urine, pale gums, changes to drinking / eating habits and a sudden change in the dog’s weight.
Milk thistle is used as a treatment for liver problems in many human liver conditions and has received generally widespread positive acclaim.
Most of the trials carried out on rats also give cause for positivity. Rats have similar liver function to dogs and there has to date been no toxic effects reported.